Future Golden Knights: Players Detroit could lose in the expansion draft

​There will be a lot of trades near the expansion draft, as teams will try to optimize their lineup without losing a player they consider part of their core.

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Published 7 years ago
Future Golden Knights: Players Detroit could lose in the expansion draft
Keystone Press

There will be a lot of trades near the expansion draft, as teams will try to optimize their lineup without losing a player they consider part of their core.

With so many players to protect, the Red Wings have a very hard decision to take: do they rebuild and protect their younger players or stick with the veterans carrying bigger contracts?

Here are eight players they risk losing for nothing on June 21:

5. Riley Sheahan - Center

Sheahan took 75 shots on net and has yet to score a goal this season. A change of scenery would certainly be welcomed by the 25 year old. While he'll never be a top point producer, he's a big, defensively responsible center that can chip in some secondary offense. 

Las Vegas could help Sheahan rejuvenate his career without burdening themselves with one of the Wings long-term contracts. If he succeeds, he could become a nice trade chip further down the road.

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4. Ryan Sproul - Defenseman / Nick Jensen - Defenseman

Both defensemen should be left unprotected, so it depends on what the Knights need or value the most. 

Sproul, 24, possesses a hard shot and offensive potential, but can't seem to adapt to the NHL. He's not an NHL calibre defenseman right now.

Jensen is a reliable 3rd pairing option who plays a safe game. At 26, he's considered a late bloomer, but it looks like he gained Jeff Blashill's trust.

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3. Darren Helm - Center / Justin Abdelkader - Winger

Barring a trade, Ken Holland will likely have to choose between protecting Helm or Abdelkader. Both players are 30 years old.

Helm carries a $3.85M cap hit for four more years. He's a speedy center, good on faceoffs and plays the penalty kill, but has been dealing with injuries lately. 

Abdelkader carries a $4.25M cap hit for six more years. He's a physical winger that provides hitting, net front presence, secondary scoring and leadership (he wears an "A" this season). He's a rare and sought after commodity in the NHL, which is why Detroit will probably protect him, but that physical style of play is usually associated with a steep decline past 30 and Vegas should steer clear of this potentially toxic contract.

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2. Jimmy Howard - Goaltender

The Golden Knights will certainly want to add a veteran netminder to their roster. Howard could fit the bill, but he's been often injured and his career numbers are average. He also carries a $5.3M cap hit for 2 more seasons. 

I suspect George McPhee will pick two, if not three young goaltenders in the expansion draft, hoping one of them becomes the goaltender of the future. There will probably be better options for a veteran netminder and Vegas could even choose to sign one as a UFA.

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1. Mike Green - Defenseman / Xavier Ouellet - Defenseman

Their availability is contingent upon the Wings decision whether to protect Niklas Kronwall. Playing for Detroit his entire career, Kronwall could be protected as a sign of loyalty by the franchise. He's been dealing with injuries lately and is not as effective as he used to. Protecting him would mean exposing one of Green or Ouellet and it would be a mistake. 

If Green is left unprotected, it's a no brainer for Vegas. He's a capable offensive defenseman with 1 year left on his deal, allowing the team to trade him to a contender next year while acquiring valuable assets. His $6M cap hit would help the Knights reach the cap floor; and let's not forget McPhee is the general manager who drafted Green.   

Ouellet is not flashy, but he's an all-around defenseman that can move the puck effectively. He's been relied upon this year and it seems he adapted to the speed of the NHL. At 23, he's still got room to grow and that could happen in Las Vegas.

 

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